[Publib] Re: "Serious" internet users versus "entertainment" users

[Andy Barnett]

Whether you want it or not, there is a rationing system in effect for 
Internet PCs. You can set one up that you control or you can let the 
patrons with the most spare time run it for you.

We prefer to be in charge. We limit to 75 minutes a day, with more time 
available for most purposes if patrons ask. We always give more time for 
taxes, resumes,  and other "serious" purposes, since those purposes are in 
keeping with the mission of the library. In the "keepers of the flame vs. 
turners of the faucet" debate, we are on the side of the flame.

We usually give time for any purpose when the PCs are not especially busy. 
We often do not give more time to those who want to play Runescape. If 
providing game machines for tweens is part of the mission of the library, 
it is a less central mission than job searches and helping people work with 
other government agencies. Plus it eats up our bandwidth like crazy.

We could fill all our computers between 2-5 with tweens playing Runescape, 
but no one else would be able to use the computers for any other purpose. 
During the school year, we even limit some PCs to only 30 minutes between 
2-5, so that all the junior high kids who inhabit the library at that time 
can get a shot at checking their email, IM, chat, etc., rather than just 
the few who remember to reserve in advance or run here first from school. 
We also have a few machines that specifically block Runescape and some 
other game sites, so that non-gamers have a chance. OTOH, we have a nice 
set of very comfortable stations that we don't limit that fill up with 
fairly well behaved gamers every afternoon. We are moving more stations to 
our "rec room" 
<http://www.mcmillanlibrary.org/library/images/M2005_1130AI.JPG> so that 
the afterschool crowd can use them while eating and drinking. It is clear 
that many parents are telling their children to stay at the library until 
4:30 or until picked up. We want to make them welcome, without allowing 
them to make everyone else unwelcome.

Our catalog PCs go to selected Internet sites, so people can do research in 
our magazine database, reach the IRS and DOR, job hunt, but many prefer the 
privacy of the Internet stations.

We also have short term stations (15 minutes), too short for games or chat, 
but perfect for those just wanting to check their mail.

Having a non-Internet PC is a good idea. We always steer resume people to 
it. It is away from the bustle of the Internet stations, has no time limit. 
We use Telus for Internet scheduling and Public Web Browser to limit 
accessible web sites.

This might seem like a lot of work, but Telus does most of it for us, 
freeing us to actually help people rather than just manage their behavior.

Andy Barnett, Asst. Director				www.mcmillanlibrary.org
McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Ave.						715-423-5144 (phone)
Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494					715-423-2665 (fax)
	
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
      -  Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929 - 1968